Sherwood Hu films video for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo

Sherwood Hu, director of Prince of the Himilayas (2006), was in Shanghai this past week filming a video for the Shanghai pavillion of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. The video is meant to convey the Shanghai experience of the past century and the grand development of Shanghai in the current era. It is a very feel good piece, so do not expect any wartime scenes or period of cultural revolution struggle.
The most interesting thing was the camera rig they used to film this. Since it is intended to be projected in around the walls of the pavilion, it was necessary to film 360 degrees. The camera team used 5 Canon Mark II SLR cameras rigged together (one up and 4 at 90 degrees to one another)

The camera team and the impromptu Canon 360 degree rig

The crew was a combination of local talent and a photography department from USA that will be doing some of the work on Spiderman 4. The photo rig was their solution to film for a 360 degree projection on a severely low budget. The production was commissioned by Shanghai so it was done on a limited budget that would not allow a typical IMAX-style camera but they needed the same results. The resolution is only in HD from these cameras but the results are still admirable.

Christian Bachini (l), Richard Trombly and Alex Genneopoulos pose as 1930s stock traders

Many of the local expatriate actors were called on to act in this piece to fill some of the grand old dance halls and galleries on the Bund. The mandate was to show the grandiose scale of Shanghai in the 1930s before WWII and Shanghai's current grand scale of modern development.
"It is great to be in the project and work with a director like Sherwood Hu," said Christian Bachini. He is a young actor from Italy who came to China specifically to work on martial arts films, learn from Chinese martial artists and is also  studying the Chinese language. He and Alex Genneopoulus have taken part in several short films as stuntmen, extras or actors and were cast in the upcoming film Chen Zhen.
The Shanghai 2010 Expo will run from May 1 to October 31, 2010 in Shanghai, China.

Italian film maker Gianpaolo Lupori makes his mark on the China film scene

***Gianpaolo Lupori and Richard Trombly have collaborated on many projects including the below-mentioned film "MeatSpace" which was recently featured in a Chong Qing, China film festival.***



Italian film maker focuses on China's urban youth



NEWSPAPER EDITION
2009-12-9 00:00

CINEMATIC postcards from the edge are created by an Italian film maker focusing on young Chinese Internet addicts and others on the fringes of the urban mainstream. Sam Riley reels it in.

The lives of young people in China's fast-changing urban environments fascinate Italian film maker Gianpaolo Lupori, who delves into Shanghai's metropolis to tell stories from the fringes of the mainstream.

In his film "Meatspace," recently screened at the Chong Qing Film Festival, Lupori looks at young Chinese who spend so much time online in cyberspace that they refer to their "real lives" as time spent in "Meatspace."

The inspiration for the 17-minute film came while Lupori was working in a computer games company in Shanghai.

The characters are "real people," not actors, and some were the online enthusiasts that Lupori worked with.

They talk in Shanghai dialect, with English and Mandarin Chinese subtitles.

"I researched online, but not understanding Chinese was a huge handicap. But through working with these kids, who also acted in the film, I was able to understand a lot more," he says.

"Meatspace" is very much about what is happening in China, he says.

Lupori, who has lived in Shanghai since 2004, says he was drawn to the idea of people who identify more with their online life than their day-to-day reality.

"Not knowing Chinese I had to take information second- or third-hand about the online world of these kids but I kind of like that," he says.

"Before I did the film, I hadn't played an online game, and as an outsider in the culture you have a unique position as an observer. You can see things that those who are totally involved in that life may not."

"Meatspace" was shot on just 1,200 yuan (US$176) and Lupori hopes it will become the pilot of a full-length feature film.

He worked extensively with the Shanghainese actors to make sure the dialogue was right and that it reflected the way a young online computer enthusiast would speak.

Lupori has shot another two short films, again on shoestring budgets of less than 1,500 yuan each.

One of the films, the 12-minute "Dark Moon" is about problems of making connections in a big city. It was screened at Shanghai's Meiwenti film festival in June 2008.

His third movie, still untitled, was filmed this year and follows the mishaps of a young man who finds a bag on the street of Shanghai and tries unsuccessfully to get rid of it.

Lupori would like to screen all the three films together because they are all urban stories about local people, "universal stories but very localized."

Telling stories from China's urban heart might seem a leap for Lupori, who grew up in the barren rural landscape of southeastern Italy in countryside near the port city of Bari.

At first he followed his parents, working in childhood education that runs arts, crafts, music and multimedia activities to engage children in learning.

He worked with underprivileged children and new immigrant families. He also taught English in Italy.

Lupori came to Shanghai because the parents of his wife, Nadya Alexander, were working in the city. The couple has two children, Shawn, 9, and Aidan, 8. Alexander teaches at a Montessori school.

"The plan was to stay six months or a year at most but we got caught up in the spirit of the potential that is such a part of Shanghai," Lupori says.

He taught English before moving into acting and film. On arriving he quickly gained a toehold in the local film community, getting parts as an extra in Hollywood films "The White Countess" and "The Painted Veil." He was also a stand-in for Jonathan Rhys Myers in "Mission Impossible 3."

He was a runner on sets, organizing actors and equipment on shoots. In 2007 he got a part in a high-profile commercial for electronics manufacturer Philips Global that was directed by acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai.

He also has been directing programs for Luxe, a series of in-flight television shows featuring China's luxury goods industry, for Shanghai Airlines.

Looking back on five years in Shanghai, Lupori says he has forged a career in the local film and media industry that would not have been possible in his home country.

"The media industry in Italy is very closed, and there is no room for innovation and it is all in the hands of a few people," he says.

"Film making is not what it used to be in Italy - I thought I might be able to be a critic or something but never what I have been able to do here."Gianpaolo Lupori

Nationality: Italian

Age: 32

Profession: Media producer

Q&A

Description of self (three words):

Scruffy, analytical, picky.

Favorite place:

The inside of any means of transportation.

Worst experience:

Yet to come.

Motto for life:

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making plans." (John Lennon)

How to improve Shanghai:Less luster and a little more drama. I fear that the obsession with improvements is rendering the city sterile, dull and lifeless. Every city needs a healthy dose of grime.

Advice to newcomers:

Get over the disappointment of not encountering the much anticipated cultural shock and realize that the city does have an exotic strain, faint as it may be.

Introducing the Shanghai Repertory Theater

Shanghai Repertory Theater stages its first show. Repertory theater is a company that presents several different plays, operas, or pieces usually alternately in the course of a season at one theater or is a theater housing such a company. Hard to be a repertory theater on your first try but the actors are good so we can give the produce an "A+" for ASPIRATION if not actual reputation as a repertory... And maybe SRT will build on the success of all those volunteers that made East West theater - many of whom are in this production - which gave producer Rosita Janbakhsh her start. Rob Tromp stars as SCROOGE in their first show : A Christmas Carol

Tickets for a Christmas Carol are on sale now. RMB150 for students, RMB200 for adults. Group packages are also available. To purchase, visit www.kecenter.org.cn, www.ticket2010.com or call 136 4170 1170.

Introducing the Shanghai Repertory Theater
Daily Blog
Monday, 16 November 2009 11:11
Written by Caroline Tylawsky


Shanghai’s newest theater company, the Shanghai Repertory Theater, is kicking off the holiday season with a production of the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Scrooge in all his philanthropic glory and his whole gang of ghosts will be on stage at the Ke Center from December 2-6.

SRT is an English-language professional theater run by Rosita Janbakhsh, previously the executive producer at East West Theater. A Christmas Carol will be their debut performance, featuring several familiar faces in the cast and crew – including Rob Tromp as Scrooge, Charlie Mayer as Bob Cratchit, Arran Hawkins as Marley’s Ghost, and Jessica Sands as Tiny Tim.

To help introduce the new theater company to the local stage scene, they’ll be holding a launch party at Chinatown this weekend (Saturday, Nov 21, 5pm) – members of the cast and crew will be in attendance, and the night will feature ticket giveaways, scene previews, canapés and, of course, some holiday drinks. It’ll be free entry starting at 5pm, with scene previews at 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30 (which will also be the ticket giveaway times).

Keep your eyes open for our interview with Rosita and more about A Christmas Carol in an upcoming issue of that’s Shanghai.

Tickets for a Christmas Carol are on sale now. RMB150 for students, RMB200 for adults. Group packages are also available. To purchase, visit www.kecenter.org.cn, www.ticket2010.com or call 136 4170 1170.

Fan Yuming starts filming "Huo Guo"

Director (Andy) Fan YuMing kicks off filming the short trailer-style film "Huo Guo" ("hot pot") today. This modern gangster comedy film presents a satyric look at modern China as local and Italian forces struggle to gain a piece of art from China's heritage. Mix all the ingredients and wait until it comes to a boil.

A typical spicy hot-pot

I feel like I am going out of the frying pan, (or at least the hot pot) and into the fire. I am acting in this little production and will be speaking in Chinese.. Wo zhen hai pa, yingwei wo Zhongwen zhen shuo de hen cha !!! (I am nervous because my Chinese sucks!)

including some lines in Shanghainese -- so now I know the meaning of "Nao zi wa te le!" a local insult meaning literally "your brain is broken"and have found it is useful in Shanghai traffic.

Westview Films announces "Dark Waters"

Westview Films announced its new feature film project, DARK WATERS.

Like director Richard Trombly's other Mandarin language films in China, this story centers on the struggle Chinese youth face in balancing 5000 years of tradition and the crashing wave of modern society and western culture.

Even as the modern world should offer endless freedom of choice, there seem to be so few options to many young Chinese. It is like being on a boat and seeing so many possible destinations in the distance around you while being restricted in choice to merely going up or down stream.

(one of China's ubiquitous riverboats)

"When I arrived in China 6 years ago, China had few highways and few tractor trailer trucks to deliver things. China was, however, embarking upon a great effort to create a vast national highway project and has made incredible progress," says Trombly. "But for now, there are still huge numbers of riverboats traveling the "water highways" in rivers and canals across the country. Thousands of families live on these riverboat barges that remain the backbone of the logistics in China. But times are changing and the modern highways and improved rail systems are slowly spelling the end of this way of life."

Trombly is fascinated with this way of life that will soon disappear and how it fits the struggle of young people in China. This setting makes an ideal backdrop for exploring some of the issues and challenges faced by China's youth. The restricted and claustrophobic environment leads to interpersonal conflicts against a counterpoint of some of the loveliest rural scenes in China.

Trombly said the script is currently in development and will be filmed later in 2010. Trombly is working with some top Chinese talent to develop this story with native authenticity and international perspective.

Director Richard Trombly to head Westview Films

Westview Films

Westview Films is founded to make international films within the China market. Few foreign filmmakers can successfully navigate the governmental restriction, take advantage of the cost savings in China or produce stories that resonate within the Chinese culture.

Few Chinese filmmakers can make films that are accessible to an international audience.

That is our niche.

We will work together with top foreign and local talent to promote cultural exchange with producing great films.

We will be shortly announcing our first project.

Contact : Richard@trombly.com

"Meatspace" Short film selected for Chong Qing, China film festival Nov 21-29

Director/producer Gianpaolo Lupori's intriguing short film follows the theme of lost youth in modern China. Many young Chinese spend so much time online that they never talk about being in "cyberspace." Instead, their "real" lives are referred to as spending time in "meatspace." This presents a vision reminiscent of Clockwork Orange but with the director's keen insight into the gentler and more restrained nature of Chinese youth. It is in fact the very restraint and lack of power, that drives this story forward. Richard Trombly co-produced this Shanghainese-language short.

Synopsis

Among the millions pursuing a better life in the technologically saturated city of Shanghai, four dissatisfied ordinary youngsters drift between reality and cyberspace as they attempt to transform their nondescript lives by posting a series of controversial videos on the Internet.

The virtual quest, however, soon turns into a nightmare as the backlash response to their posts spills out into the real world to haunt and track them down.

Statement

Over the past years, the Internet has not only had a deep effect on the way we interact with each other, but also how we determine our personalities and relate to our surroundings. individuals are now able to creatively engineer their persona, giving new relevance to enduring philosophical investigations on the nature of identity and reality. The extensive influence the Internet has on individual and collective patterns of behavior has also spawned numerous alternative cultures that already present complex hierarchical structures, beliefs, mythologies and parallel economies.

While critics are concerned that these virtual behaviors are unraveling an already fragile social fabric and destabilizing traditional values, others believe cyberspace has provided its inhabitants an opportunity to escape their worries, broaden their horizons and satisfy emotional needs.

However - as is the case with any fledgling alternative culture - while they struggle to break out of conformist patterns, these individuals may find themselves completely disorientated, possibly facing irreversible alienation.

‘Meatspace’ is a poetically licensed reflection on some these social, psychological and cultural alterations generated by virtual interactions between individuals.

Inspired by true accounts, as well as research into various cyber cultures, ‘Meatspace’ investigates the dysfunctional relationships members of these newborn cultures may establish with the various alteregoes the Internet enables them to create. The film also attempts reveal some of the difficulties they may face as they struggle to reconcile their disembodied, virtual experiences with their material lives and the devastating effects it may have on the individual.

The movie refuses to take sides, choosing rather to ally itself with its characters, sympathetically portraying difficulties of individuals trapped between two equally menacing realities; describing how lack of prospects, human contact and self esteem may drive someone to burrow themselves completely into a parallel reality where they may experience the artificial freedom of recreating themselves.

Director's Statement FATHER JOHN: Into The Shadows

Why Father John?

First of all, this is the archetypal hero’s quest. A flawed hero is thrust out into the greater world where he faces and overcomes great challenges. He also learns about himself, faces his faults, grows stronger and then brings this knowledge, maturity and strength back home to solve problems there. And Father John does this in a delightfully fresh new way.

When I came across this script, I immediately saw the potential in doing a neo-noir spy tale in Shanghai. The signature Shanghai architecture, the Shikumen-style housing blocks, are twisted mazes of narrow alleys that leave you turned about and confused or facing a dead end. And that also reflects the traditional lives and personal relations in those communities along those longtang lanes. Famed Chinese writer AnYi Wang said that in these neighborhoods, truth, lies and dark deeds all vanish into the mist.

With a bunch of recent films showing famous Shanghai views of the riverfront with the iconic Pearl Tower or the neon lights and international fashion brands of Nanjing Lu, I wanted to see a film that went deeper into the “real” Shanghai I have come to know and love. It is an ocean teeming with the endless ebb and flow of humanity.

There are some incredibly rich and vibrant views of Shanghai that will add depth and texture to this story. From the dingy back alleys and the dilapidated dwellings to fresh new neighborhoods of the new class of upwardly mobile professionals, Shanghai is an amazing backdrop for any drama.

I also was intrigued by exploring the inner conflict in John. Spies have to do some dark things that you would only expect from confidence men, thieves and murderers. The only difference is that spies can pretend to themselves that doing it for a good reason, in service of their country, makes it ok.

John’s way of maintaining his identity and self-respect in this environment is to take on the role of nice guy; almost to a fault. He tries to make an orderly world in his office where he can dot the “I”s and cross the “T”s and everything will be alright. In a world of shoot-from-the-hip rule breakers, John tries to follow the rules and a personal code of ethics. John quite effectively carved out this niche for himself in London where, under a business cover, he could effectively play the well respected man about town. But John has been lying to himself about his nice, perfect life and the darker side of his own nature.

When he is thrust into Shanghai, his life turns upside down. In London, John kept a perfectly ordered life while in Shanghai, everything is unsure. He is out of his element and not only are the people in his new office nearly hostile to him, but there is also a traitor in their midst. His partner Bill is uncooperative and on the verge of hostility toward John.

A local Chinese staff at the office and Yuri, a shadowy figure that rescues John from a mugging, seem to be his only friends. He does not know who he can trust. But he has to learn quickly if he is going to survive, because his predecessor did not.

Greetings all

It has been several months since I have written. I have been devoting myself to developing the Feature film production of the international spy film : FATHER JOHN : Into The Shadows.

This is a neo- film noir spy story about a spy who is a true gentleman perfectly suited for London but has his cover blown in London and finds himself thrust "into the shadows" of Shanghai, in a world filled with intrigue and deception. In this environment, who can you trust? John forms a tenuous alliance with an enigmatic figure named Yuri and he must unravel a terrorist threat before the terrorists carry out a contract to assassinate him.

update projected shooting : Fall 2010

We have been slow to raise money in this current economy, but the interest is developing and we expect some strong financing shortly. But we have deeply revised and perfected the script and a few actors have read the script and expressed interest. We are able to name two actors that have committed their interest in this project.

Juliet Landau

Juliet Landau ( famed for the film Ed Wood and her recurring role as Druscilla in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) is up for the lead female role as John's primary love interest in London.

Peter Stomare (Prison Break, Fargo, Constantine) is the ideal casting for the shadowy Yuri.

I have spoken with Elias Koteas about playing the role of John's partner in Shanghai, Bill. I hope to have the honor of bringing these three great actors together. If the funding picture keeps on it s current optimistic track, I am hoping we can secure the fund to attach the lead star to play John.

more info to come:

thanks to my friends for the help and spiritual support in this time of struggle

Hong Kong joins in Meiwenti Global Short Film Contest

Hong Kong joined the Meiwenti independent film movement along with 13 other global cities. The Meiwwenti Global Short Film Conntest is a part of the Meiwenti Network and is designed to support independent film makers develop a supportive community and cultural exchange though film. 

Cities include

Buenos Aires   Bogota  Mexico DF   St. Louis     Los Angeles

Madrid         Paris   London      Moscow        Beijing

Guangzhou      Xi’an   Shanghai    Hong Kong

Contact your local promoter

Hong Kong is : hongkong@meiwentinetwork.com

madrid is    : Madrid@meiwentinetwork.com 

The same format for the other cities.

any confusion just contact: international@meiwentinetwork.com

and a helpful meiwenti associate will help you out.

Meiwenti announces global film contest

For complete information please visit:

http://www.meiwentinetwork.com/contest

Introduction
In the soon-to-be-infamous Meiwenti Global Film Contest, all entries have just one month to write, shoot and edit a short movie, is a natural progression from our very successful and popular Shanghai Short Film Contest. With this, we will be hoping to build similar communities of filmmakers and enthusiasts to the community that has emerged in Shanghai or to link existing communities around the world in one global contest. This will involve all cities hosting their own contests simultaneously and having their own Awards Ceremony.

Then, all the winning films will go forward to the global contest in Shanghai and compete for the prestigious Global Winner award. This global ceremony will be screened in your city where there will be a vast array of different styles on show from all over the world. There will be an added edge, as the film representing your beloved city fights for its pride.

Why the Meiwenti Global Film Contest is unique
There are thousands of short film contests and festivals in the world, what sets us apart is:

• We are the only contest whose aim is to create communities of independent film lovers around the world and use this global network for the international distribution of indie feature films
• Our business model is designed to benefit the indie filmmakers worldwide
• We want to involve everyone in filmmaking, not just film students and industry insiders
• The Meiwenti Network will support filmmakers in the production of films that have met the quality standards

Timeline

• Kick off: June 11th
  On this day, all the filmmakers who have signed up will meet up in a venue and the promoter will explain what are the requirements for the contest. The promoter will also email the requirements that same night for those filmmakers that can’t make it.
• Entries Deadline: July 8th
  Any movies submitted after can not be included in the contest, so it is very important that you mark this date and plan carefully so as not to run out of time.
• Local Ceremony: July 18th
  The local awards ceremonies will take place on July the 18th at a venue in your city with the 12 best films being screened and the winning films and actors being selected by a Jury of film industry professionals and the audience getting to vote for the ever-popular, "People’s Choice Award".
• Global Ceremony: August 1st
  All the winning films from each city being screened and a coveted Global Winner being chosen by a Jury of professional filmmakers from all over the world.

Award Categories
The voting will be carried out by a judging panel of film professionals in your city. The jurors (4 to 6) will grade the films according to the different technical aspects of filmmaking. In addition, the audience will be the Jury for one category, the always popular "People’s Choice Award".

• Winning Film
• 2nd Best Film
• 3rd Best Film
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• People’s Choice

Disclaimer
Meiwenti Productions has the right to show the films on its website or at one of its affiliated websites and to produce contest compilation DVDs.

Sign up
Email your local promoter to sign-up or to answer any questions you have.

If your city doesn't have a promoter, you can participate in the INTERNATIONAL contest, where all the orphan filmmakers will compete. 
For more info, please contact: international@meiwentinetwork.com 

Meiwenti mobile phone video contest

Shoot a short film .... best film wins a nifty Nokia E71 phone. 

Theme - Friends

less than 1 minute: no editing: 

You do not have to be in Shanghai or even China to participate. Global entries accepted.

send entries to : Mobile@meiwentinetwork.com

Best "clips" will be screened in Shanghai.

Have fun!

Meiwenti Productions introduces Meiwenti Network

Shanghai 3 May 2009 -- Meiwenti Productions has been making independent film and supporting the independent film community in Shanghai since 2005. Now Meiwenti launches the Meiwenti Network, www.meiwentinetwork.com, an alternative way to develop a grassroots film community supporting cultural exchange and artistic expression through film around the world. 

The Meiwenti team in action

Founder Juan Vargas refers to the Meiwenti Network as a revolution in the film industry. 

"You have photographer, writers, artists, painters and sculptors working independently but only in film do we refer to the film industry," says Vargas. "But technology changes from digital distribution to desktop PC editing and affordable cameras has opened new possibilities and the time is ripe for a film revolution."

Vargas envisions the Meiwenti Network as a potential global distribution channel among worldwide communities of film professionals, afficionados and movie lovers. He does not see it as competing with the existing movie industry. Rather this would be a new way of getting quality movies to an interested public. 

Vargas says there are many people around the world who want to see quality film that is different from the run of the mill Hollywood fare. And he does not think he is alone. 

Meiwenti Network is looking for Meiwenti Network Promoters worldwide.   For more information contact :      Richard@trombly.com

Time in USA with family

After living in China for 6 years, it is always nice to spend some time in the USA. Especially when my lovely kids are in the U.S. and I still live in Shanghai. I arrived home in Belchertown, Massachusetts on April 8 to freezing temperatures and chilling winds. Thankfully before I left I had some real spring weather and saw the cherry blossoms come out and heard the "peeper" tree frogs emerge and perform their spring serenade.

Speaking of serenades, my (former) sister-in-law Katerina Korolov lives with my kids currently and she has a lovely dulcet voice and is handy with a guitar, banjo and some other string instruments. 

Katerina Korolov plays guitar while singing a tune she composed

I guess that side of the family is responsible for the musical artisitry of my 14 year old Anastasia. Anastasia regaled me with her own musical skills. She has gone just a bit Goth on the fashion   but she is still primarily a sweet and lovely geek....

Anastasia Trombly provides musical accompaniment to her drama club musical play 

She is also playing musical accompaniment to the Belchetown middle school's drama club musical play.  I was honored that my teenager asked her director dad to help organize the show and assist the drama club teacher, Mrs. Edwards. It is an adaptation of the classic Peter Pan. Next stop: NeverLand....

Why is it almost all of Neverland's "lost boys" are girls?

My son was a delightful companion during the week of school vacation I shared with my kids. He is an active 11 year old boy. Always playing frisbee, hiking, biking, on the swing (or jumping from it) and swimming on the school swim team.

 Basil jumps off his swingset but is not as aerodynamic as Peter Pan

Took a nice day in Boston to visit the Boston Science Museum and saw the Omni-theater presentation Roving Mars about the Mars rover mission. We also visited Quincy Market in downtown Boston and the Boston Common.  

Richard and Basil Trombly hiking on Mt. Toby

Basil also accompanied my on a nice hike in Western Massachusetts on the fun climb up Mt. Toby to the summit. 

April 28 I parted with my sweet kids and boarded a plane ot China - 20 hours and a day lost over the international dateline later, I arrived in China.

 

Shanghai 2020 completes filming

19, April, 2009, Shanghai -- The Science Fiction action/adventure SHANGHAI 2020 wrapped filming today. The 20 minute short film is the brainchild or Meiwenti Productions founder Juan Vargas. This is a community film production using the resources of Meiwenti members and some creative but effective rundraising methods.

In a time when the entire economy is in a slowdown, Vargas and his Meiwenti Productions simply respond, "Meiwenti." This is Mandarin Chinese for "No Problem." That is the mindset that Vargas takes to film making.

The iconic  Shanghai 2020 "SWAT chicks" get ready for some action on set

The Meiwenti community approach to film making has allowed talented amateurs to connect with seasoned film professionals to rapidly produce quality film while providing essential cultural exchange between local Chinese and expatriate foreigners.

Even as this production wraps filming and prepares for postproduction by Meiwenti professionals, Vargas and Meiwenti are preparing for the next project. The independent feature film FATHER JOHN.

For more information please visit

www.meiwentiproductions.com

See more photos from the set of Shanghai 2020 at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=1&aid=244651&id=741605563

"Father John" feature film casting now

I am preparing for directing the feature film, FATHER JOHN. A unique an spellbinding spy thriller much more in the Hitchcock style than a Bond 007 or a "Jason Bourne" action story. This is an independent film but we have great equipment, are attracting expert crew and are assembling a great list of credited professional actors.

Director: Richard@trombly.com

casting director: "Lola" Le Guan casting@meiwentiproductions.com

line producer: Juan Vargas juan@meiwentiproductions.com

to learn how you can get involved in this unique feature film project....

SYNOPSIS -- "Father John"

He is the nicest spy you could ever meet in London… He has just been re-assigned to Shanghai. His whole world is about to be turned upside down! 

"Father" John is aptly named for his gentle ways and reputation for always getting critical intelligence and "confessions" from even the hardest of sources. His style is uniquely suited to London, from polite society to the mean streets. He has it all - the respect of his office, a covert love affair and prospects for promotion after successfully unveiling a terrorist plot. That is, until one of his sources ends up dead, his cover is blown and a contract is issued on his life so John is reassigned – to Shanghai.

 

Shanghai is modern and international with a bright and shiny skyline, but there is a dark underbelly beneath it all. John finds a complex web of relationships and intrigue that takes him deep into the dark “long tang” lanes and the labyrinthine Xikumens of the real Shanghai. He must learn in this new environment to recognize his enemies from allies in this unfamiliar environment.

 

He starts out on the wrong foot with all the Shanghai office and gets beaten by a gang on the Shanghai streets. It seems his only friend is a dubious Russian named Yuri who claims to be in the shipping industry. Things turn around when he befriends  the office assistant everyone calls Susie and he cares enough to learn her native Chinese name, Fei Yuying. John enlists her aid to help him learn the ropes in Shanghai. She helps him make connections and unravel the levels of international deceit and deception. She also shows him some of the real China and its culture that the other foreigners miss as they travel only in the restrictive expatriate circles. 

 

John begins to master the situation is Shanghai, but he finds he is up against the Russian mafia, Korean crime lords and the same terrorist organization that he faced in London. Will he be able to navigate these turbulent waters, bring down the terrorists and save London before they can carry out their contact on his life?